Austrian FM states country may abandon neutrality for NATO
(MENAFN) Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger has stated that Austria should be prepared to engage in discussions about potentially joining NATO, even though she admitted the idea currently lacks significant support among both the public and parliament.
In an interview with Die Welt published on Saturday, Meinl-Reisinger cited what she described as Russia’s growing aggression and reluctance to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine. While Russia claims it is open to negotiations, it insists that any resolution must address its core security demands, including Ukraine’s commitment to remain outside NATO.
Meinl-Reisinger emphasized that “neutrality alone does not protect us,” suggesting that Austria should not only strengthen its national defense but also seek stronger military partnerships. She expressed openness to a national dialogue on NATO membership, calling it a potentially valuable discussion, despite current opposition.
Although she clarified that she is not enthusiastically campaigning for NATO accession, the minister argued that Austria must respond to global geopolitical changes rather than remain passive.
Austria has been constitutionally neutral since 1955, following a post-World War II agreement that prohibited joining military alliances or hosting foreign troops in exchange for full sovereignty. Despite this, Austria, an EU member since 1995, aligned with Western sanctions against Russia after the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022, prompting Moscow to label it a "hostile state."
Recently, Russia criticized Austria for allegedly compromising its neutrality by allowing the transit of military equipment through its territory, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claiming Vienna has abandoned its traditional role as a neutral mediator.
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